Racoons, opossums, mice in back yard

Part of back yard is large slope with old accacia that has racoons, opossums, mice. Have never planted vegetables but would like to (snap peas etc.)

Have heard that the animals will come and eat everything as soon as veggies are sweet and ripe - so lots of work but no food for humans.

Is this correct?

Thanks for any information.

Hi Kathy,

I have a similar situation, I have all sorts of critters cruising through my yard at night, opossums, rats and skunks mostly. I've been growing fruit and vegetables for years, and I've had almost no problem with vegetables...One year I let my snap peas grow along the ground instead of staking them and some critters made a little home in the mess, but they didn't eat that much.

Fruit on the other hand - my fruit trees tend to get attacked if I leave the fruit on all the way to super ripeness. I've sort of taken the position to grow a lot and share with the critters

I say GO FOR IT! Fresh sugar snap peas are the best! I like to grow potatoes, garlic, shallots, carrots, broccoli, anything cabbage (brussel sprouts, bok choy, etc), lettuce, spinach, onions during the winter. It's a perfect time to do it right now. It's actually surprising how much you can grow this time of year in Carlsbad.

I have less problems with critters in my garden in the winter than in the summer. I'm not sure who was eating my cucumber plants this summer in the canyon but I think it was squirels. I've never had a critter mess with tomatoes, eggplant, carrots, basil, corn, peppers, radish..etc. They mostly like my fruit trees. I plant all down a terraced hillside in my canyon. Lots of critters down there.

Very true, most larger varmits will tend to go after the fruit, although they will go after corn, strawberries, and a few other veggies. Depends on what's available. I'll tell my customers to plant double on the veggies (kinda hedging your bet!) As far as dissuading Raccoons, Possums, Skunks, etc... a brave dog or try using mothballs. Use old nylon stockings and place a handfull inside. Tie it off and hang in the trees. You can also make these mothball bags and place around the yard where you see signs of where the skunks may be coming in from. Bottom line is, the wildlife is here to stay!